Evacuation(Code Orange)
These guidelines are intended to provide information for staff, students and contractors in the event of an Evacuation. Evacuation may be necessary as a result of fire, explosion, structural damage, hazardous substance spill, suspicious package etc, and the procedures may differ depending on the nature, location and scale of the emergency.
It should be noted that an emergency may require partial or total evacuation of the building. The objective of an Evacuation Procedure is to ensure occupants are able to evacuate safely and rapidly in an emergency if necessary.
Where time allows and an alarm is not automatically activated (ie in a Fire Alarm), the Chief Warden will conduct an assessment in conjunction with Security/Emergency Services/Incident Response Team to ascertain the safest path of egress and location of the assembly area and advise occupants accordingly via PA, runner, email, phone as applicable.
The University has developed policies and guidelines to assist manage potential risks and minimise the impact.
- Risk Management (AS/NZS 4360)
- Preparation for Evacuation
- Evacuation Procedure(Staff, Students, Contractors, occupants)
Risk Management (AS/NZS 4360)
| Hazard Identification |
|---|
|
A Source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss. |
|
| Risk Assessment | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Likelihood | Consequences | ||||
| Negligible Injury | First Aid Injury | Minor Injury |
Major Injury |
Fatality |
|
| Very Likely | High | High | Extreme | Extreme | Extreme |
| Likely | Moderate | High | High |
Extreme |
Extreme |
| Possible | Low | Moderate | High |
Extreme |
Extreme |
| Unlikely | Low | Low | Moderate |
High |
Extreme |
| Highly Unlikely | Low | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Risk Controls |
|---|
|
Implementation of policies, standards, procedures and physical changes to eliminate or minimize adverse risks |
|
Engineering
Administration and Training
|
Preparation for Evacuation
As part of your induction, and as a minimum you will be provided with information on the following :
- Employees’ responsibilities
- Reporting emergencies
- Reacting safely to emergency signals
- Evacuating from endangered areas
- Emergencies that may occur
- The roles and responsibilities of Wardens
- The name(s) of your Wardens
- The location of emergency exits in your building
- The location of any break glass fire alarms (manual call points) in your area (if applicable)
- The location of fire extinguishers (Note – to be used only if safe and you have been trained to do so)
- The location of your designated Assembly Area
The University also arranges for Emergency Evacuation Exercises to familiarise Wardens and staff with their roles and the evacuation procedures.
If you require any additional information on any of the above, contact your Manager.
Evacuation Procedure(Staff, Students, Contractors, Occupants)
On hearing the evacuation signal :
(eg fire alarm, or evacuation tone whoop…whoop…., or verbal advice from the Chief Warden/Warden
- Follow the instructions of the Warden or information over the PA system
- Cease activities
- Secure your area (eg any activity or process that may become hazardous or suffer damage if left unattended as a consequence of evacuation)
- Save data and shut down computers
- Take personal belongings (eg handbags, car keys) as re-occupation may not be possible in the short-term
- Assist any person in immediate danger, but only if safe to do so
- Proceed to the designated assembly area - Do not use the lifts
- Await further instructions from the Chief Warden/Warden/Security/Emergency Services
- Do not re-enter until given the “All Clear”
- Follow the instructions of relevant Emergency Services personnel
Note : Where resources are limited, staff may be requested by Emergency Control personnel to assist with the general evacuation of the area or provide assistance at the Assembly Area.
Evacutating Persons with a Disability
Prior to an emergency, the Wardens will as far as practical, be aware of any staff working in, or students who come into the building who have a disability. Evacuation strategies should be discussed with the individuals concerned.
During an emergency evacuation, the Warden (or a nominated person) will assist and support a person with a disability until the arrival of the Emergency Services. The presence of an ECO member dispels any impression of abandonment.
The Warden will advise the Chief Warden of any need for assistance, and the Chief Warden will ensure that Emergency Response personnel are aware of the situation and the location of the disabled person and their carer.
Note : Those incapable of using the stairs should be evacuated under the control of the attending emergency services.
If you have a disability or any concerns re your ability to evacuate, please discuss your concerns with your Manager.
Disabilities may relate to physical, intellectual, visual or auditory, temporary or permanent.
Evacuation Routes
The University provides adequate emergency lighting and signage to assist occupants evacuate in an emergency.
Additional directional signs are also installed where an exit is not readily apparent. Exit signs are clearly visible to occupants approaching the exit and located above or adjacent to the specified exits and doors.
Exit signs will lead occupants to an open space.
The Chief Warden may need to assess the safest path of egress with regard to the proximity of the hazard.
Follow their instruction to ensure evacuation is not via or to the area in danger.
Stages in Evacuation
Depending on the nature of the emergency, evacuation may be conducted in stages.
The Warden will advise the Chief Warden when each stage is complete.
You may be required to assemble at a “Safe Place” which is not under threat from an emergency, before proceeding to another designated area.
For example :
Stage 1 = Removal of people from the immediate danger area (eg the room)
Stage 2 = Removal to a safer area eg adjoining area on the same level, or to a safer level
Stage 3 = Complete evacuation of a building to the external assembly area
Order of Evacuation
To assist with evacuation, occupants are generally evacuated in the following order :
- Ambulant – people able to walk unaided
- Semi-ambulant – people requiring assistance
- Non-ambulant – people who have to be physically moved or carried
Evacuation Assembly Areas
Each building has a designated Assembly Area. The location is noted on the Evacuation Posters displayed in all buildings.
Accounting for People
In an evacuation the ECO personnel will ensure that their area of responsibility is clear of all occupants, by conducting a systematic sweep. eg room by room. The Warden will provide a report of the result of the check to the Chief Warden.
This function is of greater importance than a physical count of those evacuated, as the University can never be sure of how many people are in a given area at any given time.
However, depending on the nature of the emergency, a register of those evacuated may be required once occupants reach the Assembly Area.
Multiple Building Evacuations
Should an emergency require the evacuation of a number of buildings, or the entire site, the University may divide the site into sectors to assist in the evacuation process.
An example of the sectors at North Tce are indicated below
The Emergency Control Organisations in each building will co-ordinate the evacuation, under instructions from the Incident Management Task Group.
A designated assembly area (or areas) will be determined by the Incident Management Task Group, which may be on or off site depending on the location and nature of the emergency.
Re-Occupation
The Emergency Services advise when it is safe to re-enter the building.
The Chief Warden will contact Wardens.
Before re-entry the Chief Warden will arrange for Wardens to check secure repositories to ensure that they have not been tampered with, whilst unattended.
If evidence of tampering is found, contact the Security Office.
Should Re-Occupation Not be Possible
Cancelling University activities prior to commencement
This means notifying students, faculty, staff, transportation and facilities managers that the University will not be open for business on a specific day. This option is available whenever University buildings are unoccupied and the time of day allows sufficient time for notifications.
- The Emergency Director, with the concurrence of the Vice-Chancellor, will notify the relevant Heads of Department that normal University operations are to be cancelled or that reporting times have been changed
- The Emergency Director will notify the University’s media liaison officer who will pass on the necessary details to the local media for release if required
- All students, faculty and staff should monitor local radio and television stations for announcements.
- The Department Head is responsible for co-ordinating cancellations in their area
Early dismissal
Early dismissal refers to releasing students, faculty and staff prior to normal dismissal times. This option assumes there is a need to clear buildings while normal university operations are in progress. Early dismissal should only be used when it is safe to do so. Students, faculty and staff should not be released if they will be exposed to more danger by leaving University facilities than they would if they remained under the University’s control.
Procedures are as follows:
- The Emergency Director, with the concurrence of the Vice-Chancellor, will notify the relevant Heads of Department of the early dismissal arrangements
- The Emergency Director will notify the University’s Media Liaison Officer who will pass on the necessary details to the local media for release if required
- As far as practicable, a 100% accounting of students and staff will be completed and verified immediately preceding the dismissal
